Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he’s nonetheless the boss and has a “good” working relationship together with his successor Benji Marshall because the NRL battlers proceed to cope with hypothesis of warring factions on the membership.
Ahead of what’s been billed as a battle to keep away from the wood spoon in opposition to fellow cellar-dwellers St George Illawarra on Thursday night time, Sheens was compelled to deal with the position of Marshall, who will exchange him as head coach in 2025, and a rift between recruiting boss Scott Fulton.
Sheens was omitted of conferences with Marshall and Fulton at membership headquarters on Monday with membership chairman Lee Hagipantelis and chief govt Justin Pascoe as they thrashed out their variations.
But Sheens was concerned in a gathering the place Marshall pitched to the board his plans for the membership, which Sheens stated had been about “recruiting”, as rumours swirl he may very well be put in forward of schedule.
Sacked Gold Coach Titans coach Justin Holbrook has additionally reportedly firmed as a precedence goal to assist work with Marshall, regardless of the presence of senior mentor Sheens.
Asked on Wednesday if was nonetheless the coach, and could be in 2024, Sheens was pointed.
“Yes I am. Yes. That’s what my contract says,” he stated.
“I’ve been around long enough to hear the noise and navigate through the noise. If you win games that shuts the noise down.”
Sheens conceded he gave Marshall, the membership’s assault coach, some “rein” to work with gamers as he did together with his different assistants.
But he was adamant his position has not been diminished.
“I’m first grade coach and as with most clubs they have attack coaches and defensive coaches and Benji does attack,” he stated.
“I’m educating them and giving them some rein or some ability to create what they want to create within the group.
“It’s no different to most clubs. The senior coach does more a managerial role in many ways. That doesn’t mean I’m not picking the team or not involved in picking the team. I am.”
Marshall has stayed silent on the scenario, and Sheens stated he was ready to cop the “bullets” which maintain coming his means.
“I cop that because I am first grade coach,” he stated.
“Whether they are bullets or praise for whatever we do. But it’s a holistic thing, every club does the exact same thing.”
Sheens was adamant Marshall would additionally be capable of navigate the tough waters the membership is working via, and discover his ft when he bought within the sizzling seat full time.
“The kid knows what’s going on,” he stated.
“He’s going to be a good coach, and a good head coach.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
